Baker named Lady Bulldogs' director of operations

Vic Schaefer's Mississippi State women's basketball coaching staff continues to grow as former Texas A&M standout Maryann Baker has joined the program as director of operations.

Baker spent last season as an intern with the Aggies' squad that advanced to the Sweet 16 and finished the year 24-11 and No. 12 in the final USA Today/ESPN Coaches' Poll.

"This is a great opportunity," Baker said. "I can't think of a better place, a better time of my career and better people to be with. I'm excited about it all.

"I had the opportunity to work alongside the video coordinator at Texas A&M. That's a commonality with what I will be doing here, but I'm also going to have the opportunity to learn other aspects of the operations side. I've always been interested in that area and seeing what goes into a program on the business side. My ultimate goal is to be a coach, so I have great people around me to learn from. Mississippi State is a beautiful campus, and I love the people that I am around and have met so far. I know what this coaching staff is capable of doing, so it's an exciting time to be at Mississippi State."

Prior to joining the coaching ranks, the Dallas, Texas, native enjoyed a heralded career playing for Schaefer at Texas A&M, helping the program to four NCAA Tournament appearances and a pair of Big 12 Tournament titles.

She capped her career by winning the 2011 Big 12 Sixth Man Award before going on to help the Aggies to the program's first national championship.

"As with Johnnie and Aqua, Maryann brings the same professionalism and strong work ethic to Mississippi State. She was one of the toughest players I've ever coached, never letting shoulder injuries she suffered hinder her ability to get things done as a player," Schaefer said. "As a former player and the Big 12 Sixth Man of the Year on the national championship team at Texas A&M, she will be a tremendous asset in helping our players balance their athletic lives with their academics.

"Maryann did quite a bit of video work last season, so she has experience that many people wouldn't have after one year," Schaefer added. "Her professionalism and attention to detail will be a great asset as a director of operations, but her experience in the film area is what really sets her apart."

Baker and classmate Sydney Colson capped their collegiate careers with a 115-29 (.799) record, making them the winningest duo in Texas A&M history. Baker went to the Elite Eight, Sweet 16 and NCAA Second Round before capping her career with the national title.

Baker, who scored 266 points in 116 career games, also excelled in the classroom, garnering back-to-back Academic All-Big 12 First Team honors.
Coming out of Bishop Lynch Catholic High School, Baker was rated the 25th-best shooting guard in the country by the All-Star Girls Basketball Report. A McDonald's All-American nominee, Baker was a three-time all-state and all-district honoree.

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